Personal Development Book Review #1

So I know I said in this post that I was going to get a review out on the personal development books I had read by end of May…and here we are middle of June and it obviously hasn’t happened yet. So I’m making it happen now! Honestly, I had hoped to have a 3rd book finished by now to add to this review, but life has been busy so I only have 2. But that’s okay because these two books are seriously amazing and worth reading!

Book #1: You Are A Badass (7/10)

So as you can see, the first book I read was You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero. I actually read this one for a book club a few months back, not really knowing about the book, just wanting to take part in the book club for that month. The tagline for the book is: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life. I was really intrigued to read it because for a while now I’ve been wanting to level-up, do more, go farther, go higher, etc. As I’ve grown up and gotten older, I’ve kinda always been getting that way; where I don’t want to just get complacent with where I am; I want to constantly and continually grow, become better, and learn more–working towards my potential. This book definitely helps with that.

Each chapter has sound advice on how to become yourself-the best badass there is! So many of us have so much potential but we don’t go out there and get it because we doubt ourselves, or we have fears or are scared to jump in. Well, this book certainly helps you realize things in life and about yourself to understand that YOU CAN DO IT. You can take control of your life, be confident, and go out to conquer whatever it is you want to do. Each chapter also has an ending not with “homework”. I say homework, but it’s really just ideas and real-life actions to take in taking steps towards living your awesome, doubt-free life.

The only downside I would have to this book is–compared to my next one I’m about to review–the action steps were sometimes harder to implement. You see for me, I am really good at reading and love the idea of growth and change, but sometimes am not the best at applying what I’ve read. Don’t get me wrong, I learned a lot from this book. And maybe it just takes time to implement and apply what you’ve read to your life. I may go back and read this book in a few months to see if things have changed. But anyway, whether or not you doubt yourself or feel like you are living an awesome life, this book is a great read to everyone and anyone who wants to personally develop and consistently grow!

Book #2: The Happiness Equation (10/10)

The second book I read and just finished last week is The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha. I absolutely LOVED this book. This had been one of the books on my list and I had heard good things about it, so I went in with high expectations (as should you from reading this review) and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!! The basics of the equation, because yes there is an actual equation, is in 3 parts. Want Nothing + Do Anything = Have Everything. The book is written into 9 secrets, split 3 secrets into each section of the equation. So 3 secrets for Want Nothing, 3 for Do Anything and 3 for Have Everything. What I really liked about it was that each secret seemed more applicable to my life and I actually find myself remembering the secrets throughout my day such as “Do it for you” or “Remember the lottery”. I am really focusing my mind around embracing these secrets to be my happiest, and best self!

Each secret is broken up into chapters with real-life example, action ideas, history, etc. all on these secrets, what they mean, how they work and why you need to implement them in your own life. For example, I’ll give you the first secret..but no more because I want you to read and discover them on your own. The first secret is: The First Thing You Must Do BEfore You Can Be Happy which is “Be Happy First”. Might sound cliché, but his explanations and examples so good and help you to see life and your attitude in a whole new light. The current happiness circle people assume is: Work Hard –> Be Successful –> Be Happy. Yet so many celebs, professional athletes, people with money successful people are still unsatisfied or unhappy even when they get to that top-level. And that is because happiness should not be based on an event or certain level of something–no, you need to be happy first. The new circle looks like this: Be Happy First –> Work Hard –> be Successful. When you’re happy right where you are being who you are, you will want to work hard which will in turn make you successful–however that looks in your life.

As I mentioned before, reading PD books may have started out as a book club, but the reason I read them now is because I never want to stay right where I am. One of my biggest fears in life is missing out on my potential and never fulling realizing what I can and want to do,and then doing it. I’m constantly wanting to learn and grow, working on myself to become the BEST that I can. I want to get in this habit now so that I won’t look back with regrets when I’m older. Personally, I have a list of about 15-20 (and am always looking for more) and you don’t have to be exactly like that, but I do encourage you to read a few personal development books like these because it can honestly only make you better Never stop learning or growing so that you can achieve exactly all that you want!